A complete wheel-jam strike is set to paralyze the Hazara division on Monday, as transport unions declared a region-wide shutdown following an escalating conflict with the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) over the control of the General Bus Terminal.
The decision was made during a joint meeting on Friday, where union officials from Kohistan to Ghazi announced that all forms of public transport would cease operations. They issued a stern warning that any drivers attempting to operate vehicles during the work stoppage would be met with resistance, signaling the potential for widespread disruption.
A large gathering of transport representatives from Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, and Battagram convened to strategize their response to the crisis. Prominent speakers included United Transport Union Chairman Qazi Muhammad Farooq, Mansehra Wagon Union President Jan Alam, and Suzuki Union President Salim Khan, along with leaders from various other transport associations.
The union leaders vehemently criticized the TMO Abbottabad, accusing the municipal body of flouting a stay order issued by the Peshawar High Court Abbottabad Bench and overstepping its legal authority. They have formally appealed to the Commissioner Hazara, DIG Hazara, and Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad to intervene and compel the TMO to adhere to the court’s directives.
While acknowledging the TMA’s administrative authority over the bus terminal, the unions stated they would refuse to cede transport operations to officials they claim are engaged in corruption and mismanagement. They have given the district administration a two-day ultimatum to address their grievances, failing which the entire transport network will be shut down.
The current two-day protest has already caused significant travel chaos, with public transit between key cities such as Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Chakwal, and Attock coming to a near standstill. Stranded commuters faced considerable hardship as they struggled to find transportation.
In an attempt to alleviate the situation, TMA staff deployed coasters and smaller vehicles to assist passengers. However, these measures proved insufficient to handle the volume of travelers. The TMA also briefly managed bus stand operations with specially arranged wagons to major destinations, which provided limited relief but led to severe overcrowding at the wagon stand as people rushed to get home for the weekend. Authorities have not yet issued a formal response to the unions’ demands.